It’s August 7 and my SF Giants are still in contention. Who would have thought that? GO Giants!
On this day in history: 1820…First potatoes are planted in Hawaii.
1882: The Hatfield’s of S. West Virginia square off and fight with the McCoy’s of E. Kentucky resulting in over 100 dead and injured.
Chess:
“ You sit at the board and suddenly your heart leaps. Your body trembles to pick up the piece and move it. But what chess teaches you is that you must sit there calmly and think about whether it’s really a good idea and whether there are other, better ideas.” Stanley Kubrick
“If the player on turn has no legal move but is not in check this is
a stalemate and the game is automatically a draw.” (Rules of chess)
Jessica and Peter’s son, Leighton will be entering 5th grade in a few weeks. He and older brother, Sebastian, who will be a freshman, were able to spend a couple of weeks at the homestead in Turlock For two weeks they were able to swim every day, enjoy the back yard, eat, swim some more, eat swim again, and enjoy the friendly confines of the Judd home.
I had taught Leighton a few years ago the basic of playing chess. We had played a few times and he seemed to enjoy it. He and dad play whenever they get a change.
Leighton wanted to play a game .We got out the chess board my in-laws bought in Malta for Sheila and me and we began setting up. Leighton had the first move. I countered. Leighton quickly made a second move which I responded to. Leighton made his third move and I quickly grabbed my pawn, then my knight, then my bishop. It dawned on me I could not move. I was in checkmate. In THREE MOVES!
I stared at my soon to be fifth grade grandson and asked him what was up. He shrugged his shoulders and said I lost the game.I bit my tongue and I told him it was time to get serious. “Set em up!” I roared and we began the second and no-fooling around game. I told him he had better put on his chess boots.
It was a well played game.I planned carefully. I set him set up so I could take his Queen and he fooled me. He cornered me and he ended up taking my Queen. Not to be beaten down I put on MY chess boots and told my grandson play time was over.
We bobbed and weaved and one by one I began to take his men. I even was able to retain my Queen. He began losing more chess men. He kept mentioning that our game might end in a stalemate or some sort of draw or tie. I guffawed as only a grandfather can. In your dreams I thought.
Finally, I got Leighton down to his King and one pawn. I had my Queen, a rook, a bishop, a knight and four pawns. I moved in for the kill and finally got him cornered. I surveyed the board and loudly boasted,”I think this game is over!” My grandson smiled and said ,”Yes. It is over. It’s a draw.” I responded, “You wish! I have you dead to rights.”
My grandson pointed to the board and said, “Grumpy am I in check?” I looked over the board and said, “No but you can’t move. You are surrounded.” He responded with an explanation. “Grumpy if you are NOT in check you cannot move INTO check, the game is a draw.” Sheila had been watching and I shot her a look and said, “Check out Wikipedia for the rules.” She did and read them. Leighton ws right.
Shoulders slumped, eyes cast down I told Leighton he at least could have given me a heads up. He did say he mentioned the chance of a draw several times during the match. Then it hit me. “You set me up!” You knew you were losing and you drew me into this tie-draw ending. That is not fair!” Leighton stared at me as he put his hands on my shoulders and softly said,” Grumpy, you’ll get over it.” Then rubbing his hands together he picked up a pack of cards from the table, shuffled them,smiled and said,“Let’s play a little draw poker, Jacks or better to open. I’ll deal,”
Its been almost 5 months now of seclusion and I keep thinking of Mr. Jones in Bob Dylan’s, “Ballad of a Thin Man. “ Something is happening here and you don’t know that it is, do you Mr. Jones?”. We all agree the United States should be getting a handle on this pandemic and send it packing back to Uranus. The United States should be leading the world out of this mess. Let’s get moving. There certainly is a certain amount of hurry up in stopping this pandemic.
I don my mask daily daily as I walk around my beautiful tree lined streets of Turlock. I notice more and more folks in cars wearing their masks. Most of the walkers I pass on the streeets are also wearing theri masks. I sadly realize it may be this way for a long long time. Right now we need to use our commom sense and realize we are in this thing together.
Coda: Sheila and I are fortunate. Our children and five grandchildren are all in good health.We are thankful we have a home to live in, food and liquids to eat and drink and everything we need to survive comfortably.We are grateful and appreciate these gifts.
Until September 4:
Read a book, hug a child, pet a dog,stroke a cat, eat a box of See’s, wear a mask, keep a safe distance….